Chapter 150 Not Bad Either

Bai Ruchen fell into deep thought for a moment, then suddenly exclaimed in shock, "Zhan Yu was there too?"

"It seems the relationship between the Zhan family, the Kuang family, and the Mozhi family is not quite that simple," Bai Zhenhua said.

Bai Ruchen’s expression also turned solemn. No wonder Zhan Yu had spoken up for them earlier, and with such a sharp tone at that.

"Keep a close eye on Mozhi Xuanxuan from the Mozhi family at all times, and also monitor that student who collaborated with her on the modifications. Find a chance to bring them back," Bai Zhenhua instructed. If they could get their hands on this kind of mecha modification method, what would the Kuang family's mechas even amount to?

Didn't Kuang Hongyi also fail to figure out this type of mecha?

Although these matters were of great importance and Bai Ruchen had botched his task last time, Bai Zhenhua still entrusted this assignment to him. No matter how outstanding his two daughters might be, they were still daughters, not sons.

Bai Ruchen nodded. "I will make sure this is completed successfully."

Bai Zhenhua watched Bai Ruchen walk out of the study, feeling a mixture of emotions.

Xuanxuan had no idea how she was being plotted against. The moment she returned home, she noticed that Mozhi Weihan’s expression looked rather off. Tilting her head, Xuanxuan pondered for a moment, guessing that he must be thinking about his mother and Bai Ruchen. Suddenly, Xuanxuan did not know what to say. What exactly had happened back then was unclear even to Xuanxuan, and not even the person directly involved, Mozhi Lianjun, was entirely certain of the details.

Since the matter had not been thoroughly investigated, she was not in a position to make any casual comments.

The journey home passed in silence. It was only after they stepped inside the house that Mozhi Weihan’s expression eased slightly, though it still looked somewhat forced. Mozhi Lianhao had not yet returned, but Mozhi Lianjun was already at home. Instead of being in the study, he sat rigidly on the sofa, his back straight, expression stern, and brows slightly furrowed. Anyone unaware of the situation would have thought a major crisis had occurred. Xuanxuan glanced sideways at Tong Wan sitting beside Mozhi Lianjun, and then looked back at Mozhi Lianjun’s gaze fixed on the large television screen. A smile finally tugged at the corner of her lips, and even Mozhi Weihan beside her wore a hint of a smile.

The members of the Mozhi family feared nothing in the world—except having to accompany Tong Wan as she watched these soap operas.

Yet, not a single person in the Mozhi family dared to refuse Tong Wan. Even Mozhi Yi, the head of the family, could only obediently sit beside Tong Wan under her orders, watching the show with deeply furrowed brows while offering a forced smile whenever she was pleased, and handing her tissues whenever the plot turned tragic.

Mozhi Lianjun glanced at the characters currently engaged in a melodramatic, nagging argument, wondering in his heart whether he should give a hint to his subordinates below to make sure such soap operas ceased to exist in their world.

Then, glancing back at Tong Wan’s indignant expression beside him, he hesitated, wondering if, in the absence of soap operas, Tong Wan might just go straight and demolish someone else's territory.

Better not. After all, this was pretty much Tong Wan's only hobby. Besides, he rarely had free time at home, and he certainly wasn't the one who had to accompany her through most of it.

"Uncle..." Xuanxuan greeted with a beaming smile. She hadn't seen him for several days; he must have been busy investigating matters lately, often making himself unavailable. Mozhi Weihan also hurriedly offered his greeting, though a bitter feeling welled up inside him—why wasn't his own father this busy?

Before Mozhi Lianjun could respond, Tong Wan quickly turned her head. "Did Xuanxuan not see me?"

Do you really need to greet someone you see every single day?

Though she felt it was completely unnecessary, seeing that Tong Wan would not let it go without a proper greeting, Xuanxuan obediently called out, "Hello, Grandma."

Seeing that Tong Wan’s attention had been successfully diverted, Mozhi Lianjun unassumingly switched the channel to the news, only to suddenly stop and say, "Wait, isn't this the live broadcast from your school?"

Xuanxuan glanced at the screen. It was actually a rebroadcast—the very match they had just fought in the martial arena.

"A match involving my precious kids? Xuanxuan, why are you on there too?" Tong Wan looked over as well.

"Not bad." Zheng Chao had just stepped down from the arena, and Mozhi Weihan stepped up. His grasp of the opponent was spot-on, his tactical plan was well-chosen, and the timing of his moves was excellent. Mozhi Lianjun offered a rare word of praise.

Mozhi Weihan muttered softly under his breath, "I could have done just as well if I went up there."

Xuanxuan cast a sidelong glance at him. Was he feeling jealous?

Definitely. What a loser.

A hint of a smile flickered in Mozhi Lianjun’s eyes, though he still said stiffly, "When you finally learn to rein in your personality, you'll be able to do just as well."

Though it wasn't a direct compliment, Mozhi Weihan lowered his head with a slight curve to his lips. Actually, his father understood them quite well after all, didn't he?

That must mean he cared about them deeply, too.

As they continued watching, Xuan Guo appeared on the screen, causing Mozhi Lianjun’s brows to furrow deeply. Hearing the disparaging remarks directed at Xuanxuan, Tong Wan’s delicate eyebrows also knitted together. "Who is this woman?"

"She's that Xuan Guo," Mozhi Weihan explained.

Mozhi Lianjun glanced at him. "From now on, you must protect Xuanxuan well and not let anyone bully her."

Xuanxuan covered her mouth and giggled. "Uncle is the best."

Mozhi Lianhao, who was just walking in through the front door, felt his mouth twitch. What about him? He was her biological father, after all.

Mozhi Weihan followed closely behind him. Xuanxuan noticed that his expression wasn't looking too great either, though it softened just a bit when he caught sight of Mozhi Lianjun and Tong Wan. Xuanxuan said to Mozhi Weihao, "Uncle just said you did a good job."

Mozhi Weihao looked thoroughly surprised, turning his gaze toward Mozhi Lianjun as if he couldn't quite believe it. Mozhi Lianjun gave a dry cough and awkwardly turned his head away, pretending to keep watching television.

Only then did a bright smile bloom across Mozhi Weihao's face. Mozhi Lianjun rarely praised them, if ever; hearing this single word of approval, "not bad," was already an extraordinary rarity. "Thank you, Father. I still have room for improvement."

"Hmph hmph," Mozhi Weihan muttered under his breath again.

Mozhi Weihao, Xuanxuan, and Tong Wan sitting on the sofa all covered their mouths and chuckled quietly.

Even Mozhi Lianhao wore a smile as he said to Mozhi Lianjun, "Weihan was very well-behaved today, and he protected Xuanxuan fiercely."

Upon hearing this, Mozhi Weihan nodded earnestly, looking at Mozhi Lianjun with bright, shining eyes to show that he had indeed been very good today.

Seeing everyone staring at him, Mozhi Lianjun felt an unaccustomed wave of embarrassment, yet he still managed to utter, "Not bad either."

A brilliant smile spread across Mozhi Weihan’s face—the same dazzling, sunlit smile Xuanxuan had seen when she first met him.

No matter how sensible they appeared in their daily lives, at the end of the day, they were merely half-grown youths who had never received much maternal or paternal affection. To remain so well-behaved without ever acting rebellious was already an incredible feat in itself.

Yet, because of this, they cherished their father's recognition and praise all the more. Merely hearing a single "not bad" from Mozhi Lianjun filled them with boundless joy and surprise.

Mozhi Lianjun coughed twice. "Let's go to the study."

Mozhi Lianhao nodded with a smile, knowing that his older brother was simply feeling too self-conscious. He turned back, gently stroked Xuanxuan’s head, patted Mozhi Weihao and his brother on the shoulder, and said, "Stay here and keep Grandma company while I go discuss some matters with your uncle and grandfather."

Xuanxuan instantly put on a bitter face.